Martha Hickson
@sassylibrarian.bsky.social
📎2023 NJLA Librarian of the Year📎Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians📎NCAC Outstanding Librarian📎AASL, NJLA & NJASL Intellectual Freedom Awards📎InsiderNJ 2025 Policy Makers Power List📎Ban book banners!
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Take action today! www.bookbanpetition.us
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Take action today! www.bookbanpetition.us
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Too often, censorship activists skip reading the full book (or its context) and instead spotlight specific dramatic excerpts at school board meetings to spark fear and outrage. But books are meant to be experienced as a whole, not reduced to a few cherry-picked pages.
#FreedomToRead
#FreedomToRead
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Too often, censorship activists skip reading the full book (or its context) and instead spotlight specific dramatic excerpts at school board meetings to spark fear and outrage. But books are meant to be experienced as a whole, not reduced to a few cherry-picked pages.
#FreedomToRead
#FreedomToRead
Cherry Hill NJ wants to restrict "sensitive" topics in its school libraries after one parent complained about an LGBTQ+ title. That uninformed over-reaction violates principles of librarianship, the NJ Freedom to Read Act, and students' 1st Amendment Rights. Hat trick! 🙄
Cherry Hill schools may require parental approval for students checking out ‘sensitive’ books
Cherry Hill public schools may begin requiring parental permission for students to check out sensitive books, according to an internal memo obtained by The Inquirer.
www.inquirer.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Cherry Hill NJ wants to restrict "sensitive" topics in its school libraries after one parent complained about an LGBTQ+ title. That uninformed over-reaction violates principles of librarianship, the NJ Freedom to Read Act, and students' 1st Amendment Rights. Hat trick! 🙄
Reposted by Martha Hickson
TIFF’s screening of ”The Librarians” is now SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone who purchased their ticket and for supporting the film festival with a social conscience. See you at the cinema!
#teaneckfilmfestival #activism #makingchange #teaneck #newjersey #njfilm #nj #films #movies #thelibrarians
#teaneckfilmfestival #activism #makingchange #teaneck #newjersey #njfilm #nj #films #movies #thelibrarians
November 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
TIFF’s screening of ”The Librarians” is now SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone who purchased their ticket and for supporting the film festival with a social conscience. See you at the cinema!
#teaneckfilmfestival #activism #makingchange #teaneck #newjersey #njfilm #nj #films #movies #thelibrarians
#teaneckfilmfestival #activism #makingchange #teaneck #newjersey #njfilm #nj #films #movies #thelibrarians
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Holy shit. THIS IS HOW AN ANTI-BOOK BAN LAW WORKS, Y'ALL.
Maryland's school board overturned a Harford County Schools ban on FLAMER.
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Maryland's school board overturned a Harford County Schools ban on FLAMER.
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
In a first for the state, Maryland’s school board reverses Harford County’s book ban
Maryland’s school board is reversing Harford County’s decision to remove a book from public school libraries — the first time the state has intervened in a local decision about what’s appropriate for ...
www.thebanner.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Holy shit. THIS IS HOW AN ANTI-BOOK BAN LAW WORKS, Y'ALL.
Maryland's school board overturned a Harford County Schools ban on FLAMER.
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Maryland's school board overturned a Harford County Schools ban on FLAMER.
www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Even a partially sane society would immediately liquidate ICE and use its assets to build libraries. Nevertheless,
November 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Even a partially sane society would immediately liquidate ICE and use its assets to build libraries. Nevertheless,
Fans of THE LIBRARIANS: Keep your eye on this story. It’s the situation represented by the courageous Suzette Baker in the film. “Llano could be a critical testing ground for how much power elected officials have in removing books from library shelves nationwide.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
a texas county banned 17 books, lost in court, appealed, and is now begging the supreme court to defend its right to fear literature. the land of the free sure hates reading.
how is this normal?
how is this normal?
Texas county book ban could go to SCOTUS
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide by late November to take up a Texas book ban case.
www.axios.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Fans of THE LIBRARIANS: Keep your eye on this story. It’s the situation represented by the courageous Suzette Baker in the film. “Llano could be a critical testing ground for how much power elected officials have in removing books from library shelves nationwide.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
“By attacking librarians, Republicans are not only narrowing the syllabus for students; they are chipping away at one of the last institutions where civic equality is practiced rather than preached.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
FILM OF THE WEEK: <i>The Librarians</i> - Reviewed by Roe McDermott | Hotpress
Timely doc about book banning in the U.S. highlights the steady creep of authoritarianism.
www.hotpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
“By attacking librarians, Republicans are not only narrowing the syllabus for students; they are chipping away at one of the last institutions where civic equality is practiced rather than preached.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
Hey, NJ: There’s an encore screening of THE LIBRARIANS in Lambertville, Nov 9, 3 pm @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
Acme Screening Room
“A different type of superhero movie.” - Hollywood Reporter From Academy Award nominee and Peabody winner Kim A. Snyder, the new feature documentary The Librarians is a rallying cry for freedom to rea...
www.acmescreeningroom.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Hey, NJ: There’s an encore screening of THE LIBRARIANS in Lambertville, Nov 9, 3 pm @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
The impact campaign for @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social aims to bring communities together to discuss intellectual freedom. Here’s an example of that happening in Utah.
Nonprofits partner to showcase ‘The Librarians’ - Park Record
'Librarians' documentary examines book banning and the fight against it.
www.parkrecord.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The impact campaign for @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social aims to bring communities together to discuss intellectual freedom. Here’s an example of that happening in Utah.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
THE LIBRARIANS continues to sell out screens and adding encores across the US! We have plenty of screenings throughout Nov and Dec so be sure to buy your tickets early so you don’t miss out!
TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
November 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
THE LIBRARIANS continues to sell out screens and adding encores across the US! We have plenty of screenings throughout Nov and Dec so be sure to buy your tickets early so you don’t miss out!
TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
Reposted by Martha Hickson
The long-running ideological war on libraries, education, and government workers is not separate from AI boosterism. It is the same ideological war on human knowledge and expertise. In some cases AI is being used to directly supercharge this effort:
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The long-running ideological war on libraries, education, and government workers is not separate from AI boosterism. It is the same ideological war on human knowledge and expertise. In some cases AI is being used to directly supercharge this effort:
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Am obviously not anywhere near the first person to point this out, but I think it's a pretty useful framework. AI is also a nuts-and-bolts logistical nightmare for a workforce that is constantly being harassed, threatened, and forced to defend their work. They are fixing/fending off AI bullshit
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Am obviously not anywhere near the first person to point this out, but I think it's a pretty useful framework. AI is also a nuts-and-bolts logistical nightmare for a workforce that is constantly being harassed, threatened, and forced to defend their work. They are fixing/fending off AI bullshit
Great insights (snarky, too) from @maggietokudahall.bsky.social here.
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Great insights (snarky, too) from @maggietokudahall.bsky.social here.
What do librarians do at the airport? Hit the bookstore, snag the newest @maryroach.bsky.social, and score some banned books merch. I’m set for the day! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM
What do librarians do at the airport? Hit the bookstore, snag the newest @maryroach.bsky.social, and score some banned books merch. I’m set for the day! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
The Yoko Ono exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was terrific! Thought-provoking, eye-opening, and interactive, My favorite piece was “Add Colour.” See if you can spot my contribution.
November 6, 2025 at 10:39 PM
The Yoko Ono exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was terrific! Thought-provoking, eye-opening, and interactive, My favorite piece was “Add Colour.” See if you can spot my contribution.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
You know who else got sent a message on Tuesday?
Those who support book bans and censorship.
Bad people ban books.
Books save lives.
Those who support book bans and censorship.
Bad people ban books.
Books save lives.
November 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
You know who else got sent a message on Tuesday?
Those who support book bans and censorship.
Bad people ban books.
Books save lives.
Those who support book bans and censorship.
Bad people ban books.
Books save lives.
Fans of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social may be excited to learn that in Granbury TX the extremist slate of BOE candidates lost, including Monica Brown, Weston’s cell-phone wielding mother. Here’s Monica on FB blaming her loss on her son.
November 6, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Fans of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social may be excited to learn that in Granbury TX the extremist slate of BOE candidates lost, including Monica Brown, Weston’s cell-phone wielding mother. Here’s Monica on FB blaming her loss on her son.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
After those results, the Democratic response to GOP pressure to cave on the shutdown should simply be
a man in a suit and tie is sitting in a chair and making a funny face .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is sitting in a chair and making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
After those results, the Democratic response to GOP pressure to cave on the shutdown should simply be
“Censorship today of one kind of book applies tomorrow to all other kinds of books, including ones you like. Censorship is ever busy, rarely stopping with one category of books.”
Public education in America is (1) the sine qua non of democratic government; (2) it includes unrestricted access to books; and (3), censorship of books, especially public library books, is inimical to public education.
www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinio...
www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinio...
Alabama libraries have no business censoring books | JIM VICKREY
Censorship clogs the pipes of public education, and says some ideas aren’t worthy of thought.
www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
“Censorship today of one kind of book applies tomorrow to all other kinds of books, including ones you like. Censorship is ever busy, rarely stopping with one category of books.”
Reposted by Martha Hickson
I can't keep the thread up, but suffice to say, PEOPLE VOTED TO PROTECT AND FUND LIBRARIES AND SO MANY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS SUPPORTED PRO-EDUCATION, PRO-STUDENT CANDIDATES.
People showed up. They didn't just buy banned books. They VOTED.
And guess what?
Voting made a difference.
People showed up. They didn't just buy banned books. They VOTED.
And guess what?
Voting made a difference.
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I can't keep the thread up, but suffice to say, PEOPLE VOTED TO PROTECT AND FUND LIBRARIES AND SO MANY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS SUPPORTED PRO-EDUCATION, PRO-STUDENT CANDIDATES.
People showed up. They didn't just buy banned books. They VOTED.
And guess what?
Voting made a difference.
People showed up. They didn't just buy banned books. They VOTED.
And guess what?
Voting made a difference.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Brand new data:
Republicans blamed for the shutdown (+12) and for health care premiums going up (+28!!).
These are stunning numbers. Republicans aren't immune from the pressure this creates.
Time to press our advantage. Stand for what we believe in.
Republicans blamed for the shutdown (+12) and for health care premiums going up (+28!!).
These are stunning numbers. Republicans aren't immune from the pressure this creates.
Time to press our advantage. Stand for what we believe in.
November 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Brand new data:
Republicans blamed for the shutdown (+12) and for health care premiums going up (+28!!).
These are stunning numbers. Republicans aren't immune from the pressure this creates.
Time to press our advantage. Stand for what we believe in.
Republicans blamed for the shutdown (+12) and for health care premiums going up (+28!!).
These are stunning numbers. Republicans aren't immune from the pressure this creates.
Time to press our advantage. Stand for what we believe in.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
and you know what? even many 10th graders should be able to understand writing that’s “complex, erudite, punctuated by deep and fluent references”
sometimes “meeting students where they are” means assigning something written by an adult for other adults
sometimes “meeting students where they are” means assigning something written by an adult for other adults
Here's another bit of conventional wisdom Zohran completely blew away: His speech was at well above a 10th-grade level. It was complex, erudite, punctuated by deep and fluent references. You don't have to condescend to voters with baby talk! Part of re-establishing norms is speaking like an adult.
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 AM
and you know what? even many 10th graders should be able to understand writing that’s “complex, erudite, punctuated by deep and fluent references”
sometimes “meeting students where they are” means assigning something written by an adult for other adults
sometimes “meeting students where they are” means assigning something written by an adult for other adults
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Seeing good school board results around the country: PA, Co, Mn, even Texas! Local votes for reasonable school boards!
November 5, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Seeing good school board results around the country: PA, Co, Mn, even Texas! Local votes for reasonable school boards!
Reposted by Martha Hickson
We see that parents want reasonable school boards that care about the things that matter - literacy, libraries, and educational success.
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We see that parents want reasonable school boards that care about the things that matter - literacy, libraries, and educational success.